KC Confidential.com

On the surface, John Prine on Saturday night at the Midland by AMC might have passed for any older man in a black suit with a guitar around his neck singing a little hoarser and talking a little wiser than he used to.

You might expect that from any serious veteran of words and music. But you might not expect songs so sad they’re sweet and so sweet they’re sad without a still-evolving genius being involved.

As the years have turned into decades, it has become a greater temptation to just be done with it and put a tag on Prine’s sleeve right next to the heart he wears there that reads: “America’s Greatest Living Singer-Songwriter.” Of course, he would fight it. He’s too humble for that. Continue reading

Vintage art rockers! A fabled folk singer! Daring dancers suspended over an outdoor sculpture garden! Silly people who make up seriously funny stuff on the spot! Bet you can’t pick just one!

OK, enough with the exclamations. But I’m more than happy to do whatever it takes to help you spread yourself thin this weekend. To that engaging end, I’ll be discussing the previously alluded to activities on “Up to Date” with Steve Kraske at 11:45 a.m. Friday on KCUR-FM (89.3). If you miss the live broadcast, click on the show’s archive at kcur.org.

Let the furious fleshing out of things begin! Obviously, I just can’t help myself.

Beatles Pedigree

Alan Parsons made his name as an audio engineer on the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” album, as well as five discs with the Hollies, Paul McCartney’s “Red Rose Speedway,” Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” and “Wish You Were Here” and Al Stewart’s “Year of the Cat.” Continue reading